Hello!
Thanks for popping by! If you’re here, it’s probably because you attended the event ‘Think and grow big’ in March 2018.
I hope you found it useful? I’m always looking to improve, so I’d love your feedback. Please do email me: hello@alisonread.co.uk to let me know what you think.
Below is a selection of some of the information that would have been presented at the event. If I’ve missed anything, or you’d like to know more, again, give me a shout. There’s a full set of contact details at the bottom of this page, along with ways that I can work with you. You might also choose to follow me on Facebook, connect on LinkedIn or join my mailing list.
Thanks for your time,
Alison
What’s so great about digital marketing?
Reach – everyone’s connected. If you’re not in front of them, your competitors will be.
Interactive – not just a one-way broadcast, it’s many to many. People talk to you, with you and about you.
Integrated – Done well, a digital marketing strategy will incorporate several streams of media, as appropriate to your business and your clients. Initiate – Integrate – Iterate
Measurable – every digital action is traceable and you can track and measure your success.
Informed – which means your decisions can be based on sound data. Market reality is a better indication of consumer behaviour than market research.
Affordable – much cheaper options that traditional marketing channels.
Digital Marketing Communication Channels
Digital media that we talked about can be grouped into six main streams or channels, as per the diagram.
Most important strategy?
GIVE GREAT CONTENT!
Don’t just sell! Connect, Inspire, Entertain and Educate. Once people get to know, like and trust you, will they be more receptive to buying. If your content doesn’t engage people it won’t get far.
This is your business, your brand. As the business owner, you need to own your situation. Social media is your chance to connect with your audience, do not outsource your day to day social media. Authenticity wins engagement. If you’re not confident, get training and consider getting a mentor who will oversee things.
But be realistic. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Don’t spread yourself too thin, better to do a few things well. Some things, such as web design, SEO, Ads, etc, are better outsourced to a dedicated professional.
Your Website
Your website is at the heart of this diagram. It’s your own real estate. Everything else is owned by a third party, but you have full control over your website and the content thereon.
Don’t DIY! Get a professional. Make sure it works on mobile.
Should read well and reflect your brand. Keep it fresh and active for your users and for SEO
People don’t read web content, they scan, be concise
SEO – Write blogs! Use Yoast or a similar plugin
Social media – Share This buttons, Follow Me, Feed widgets, showing latest posts/tweets
Analytics – Install Google Analytics. Planning on Facebook Ads? Install Facebook Pixel
SEO
Make sure your Google My Business and Google Places listings are correct.
Your web designer will get you started with SEO, but beyond that a lot can be done with great content.
Check your rankings regularly, and if search marketing is important, then pay for search ads.
Pay Per Click Search Ads
Google AdWords. Can be expensive. You could give it a go, but better to outsource to a professional.
Conversion depends on every link in the chain being strong.
Display Ads
Use as part of an integrated campaign, for brand awareness. Uses Google Display Network. Outsource to a professional. (Social media platforms run their own display ads.)
Mobile marketing
Fast moving sector. Effective when done well, but take advice before investing.
Email marketing
Do this. Start building your list and send monthly emails. Get a MailChimp account. Free, easy. Think GDPR.
Why you should write newsletters, and why your subscribers will love them.
My blog about Facebook changes
Small business and the Facebook News Feed changes – ten tips to stay on top
How I can work with you
Join my group training
Facebook for the Faint-hearted – beginning Facebook for business – Elgin, 19th April
If you know that for the sake of your business you should be on Facebook (and most people should), but to be honest you’re terrified, maybe you tried it once and didn’t like it, perhaps you suspect your questions are so basic you’d feel overwhelmed on a ‘normal’ course, or perhaps you just want to go back to basics, then this one’s for you.
More info and to book via Eventbrite.
Intermediate Facebook for Business – Elgin, 3rd May
Do you have a Facebook page, you kind of know what you’re doing, but would like a bit more in-depth knowledge? Perhaps you’re not getting the engagement you’d like, or you have burning questions you need answered? Understand your insights and get started with ads.
More info and to book via Eventbrite.
Other courses
I’ve got a couple of other training courses in the pipeline.
- More about Facebook – what do you want to know?
- Creating simple graphics for social media
- Email marketing
- SEO
- Creating compelling copy
- Using your phone to take better photos for social media
- Moving out of Auto on your DSLR
Drop me a line if any of these would be interesting and maybe you’ll inspire me to get something sorted out.
I can tailor strategy, training and mentoring to your business
Digital Marketing MOT
Do you know where you are now and where you want to be?
Do you know how to get there?
Last year I launched my Digital Marketing MOT, which is the first step to creating a strategy. It’s an audit to help you get clarity on your digital marketing, outline your next steps, and will be crammed with tips and tricks to point you in the right direction.
What does your business need?
This year I’m introducing a number of more specific packages, such as a three month Facebook QuickStart mentoring program. I can run your Facebook Ads campaigns. I also offer Google Analytics Audit and Management services.
This can be tailored to you; really, bespoke is simply me helping you, in whichever way I can. And if I can’t, then I almost certainly know someone who can.
So let’s start with a chat about you and your business and we’ll take it from there
Let’s keep in touch!
Facebook – @AlisonReadDigitalContent
I mostly hang out on Facebook. If you like my page you’ll get lots of tips and tricks and industry insights, whether you choose to work with me or not. I’m nice like that!
LinkedIn – AlisonRead
It’s still not my natural habitat, but I’m making more of an effort, so drop me an invite and let’s connect.
Email – hello@alisonread.co.uk
I love getting emails! Sad, I know!
Sign up for my mailing list in the box at the bottom of this page.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Alison